P15PS00777MAC_PWS_Regional_Tree_Removal_and_Prunning_(Final).pdf

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION

REGIONAL TREE PRUNNING AND REMOVAL

GREATER WASHINGTON NATIONAL PARKS

PART 1

INTRODUCTION

1 GENERAL: This is a Firm-Fix Price (FFP), Multiple Award Contract (MAC), three (3) vendors, Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ), straight five (5) year service contract to provide Regional Tree Pruning, Removal, Stump Grinding and Brush

Clearing Services to National Park Service (NPS) at locations within the Greater

Washington National Parks.

1.1 Description of Services: The contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items necessary to perform tree pruning and removal, stump grinding and all related incidental work as defined in this performance work statement. Any items not specifically noted, but necessary for performance in accordance with accepted industry standards, shall be furnished under this

IDIQ. The contractor shall perform to the standards in this contract.

Work will be performed in park units under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service

(NPS), National Capital Region (NCR). Most trees are located within developed areas containing high densities of pedestrians, vehicles, utilities, and structures.

1.2 Background: The primary role of this contract is to provide tree services to the Park units of the NCR. The tree services provided by this contract are directed to assist the

NPS carry out the mission to conserve the scenery, the natural and historic objects, and the wild life therein. To provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations, as stated in the Organic Act of 1871.

1.3 Objectives: Object to provide routine services and emergency services to the specified

Parks (see Part 4.1). These services include but not limited to: tree pruning and removal, stump grinding, brush clearing, and all related incidental work as defined in this PWS.

1.4 Scope: The general scope of work includes identifying, cutting, and removing encroaching brush, shrubs, trees, and limbs to restore sight distances, provide appropriate vertical and horizontal clearances to improve sight distances, eliminate hazards to the public and promote healthy trees. Work shall be accomplished adjacent to Park facilities, roads, sidewalks, memorials, monuments, trails, parking areas, overlooks, and pull offs in several areas of the Park. These can either be routine or emergency services request.

1.5 Period of Performance: The total period of performance for this contract shall be a straight five (5) year contract.

Base: June 1 2015 - May 31- 2020

1.6 Recognized Federal Holidays: Contractor is not required to perform routine services on holidays, unless emergency services are requested.

New Year’s Day Labor Day

Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday Columbus Day

President’s Day Veteran’s Day

Memorial Day Thanksgiving Day

Independence Day Christmas Day

1.7 Normal Hours of Operation: The contractor is responsible for conducting routine services, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. ET Monday thru Friday, except when the Government facility is closed due to local or national emergencies, weather related closures, administrative closings, or similar Government directed facility closings.

The contractor will not be reimbursed when the government facility is closed for the above reasons unless emergency services are requested.

1.8 Type of Contract: The government will award a MAC (three (3) vendor), IDIQ, with each individual Task Order (TO) executed for each requesting Park for each project, competed amongst the MAC vendors selected for this contract.

1.9 Contractor’s Proposal Package. The following deliverables are to be submitted to

Request for Proposal (RFP).

Contractor’s Quality Control Plan

Contractor’s Safety Plan

Key personnel (qualifications)

Technical approach to perform required services

Relevant Past Performance (MUST be within previous five (5) years, and provide contract POC email and phone number

Proof of Insurance

1.10 Evaluation Factors – Best Value

The Government will award a MAC resulting from this solicitation to three (3) responsible offerors whose proposals conform to the solicitation and will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers:

Technical Evaluation

Safety Plan

QCP

Relevant Past performance

Price

** (All factors are equally important)

PART 2

DEFINITIONS

2. DEFINITIONS:

BRANCH - a secondary shoot or stem arising from one of the main axes (i.e. trunk or leader) of a tree.

CONTIGENCY LINE - a line will be provide on each TO that allows the COR to approve unexpected, yet related work needed to be performed to allow TO completion.

CONTRACTOR - a supplier or vendor awarded a contract to provide specific supplies or service to the government. The term used in this contract refers to the prime.

CONTRACTING OFFICER (CO) - the only individual who can legally bind the government, a person with authority to enter into, administer, and or terminate contracts, and make related determinations and findings on behalf of the government.

CONTRACTING OFFICER'S REPRESENTATIVE (COR) - this individual does NOT have authority to change the terms and conditions of the contract. This person is an employee of the U.S. Government appointed by the contracting officer to administer the contract. Such appointment shall be in writing and shall state the scope of authority and limitations. This individual has authority to provide technical direction to the Contractor as long as that direction is within the scope of the contract, does not constitute a change, and has no funding implications.

EMERGENCY SERVICES - work must commence within four (4) hours. Emergency work is not routine work. Emergency services are before or after 7:00am to 3:30pm M-F;

weekends; any Federal Government closure; and, Federal holidays. Also, Emergency services will be charged at OT rates in the Bid Schedule. Emergency services are ordered when work is required due to an act of God, or accident, and only includes tree or limb removal. (Stump grinding and tree pruning are not emergency requirements).

The Contractor must respond to calls within one (1) hour of telephone contact and be on job site within four (4) hours. The contractor shall provide contact telephone numbers for live response 24 hours per day seven (7) days a week for emergency purposes.

Emergency work may not be competed within the three (3) MAC vendors due to locality and availability, as the service is needed to protect life or property threats.

DEFECTIVE SERVICE - a service output that does not meet the standard of performance associated with the Performance Work Statement.

DELIVERABLE - anything that can be physically delivered, but may include non-manufactured things such as meeting minutes or reports.

KEY PERSONNEL - contractor personnel that are evaluated in a source selection process and that may be required to be used in the performance of a contract by the Key

Personnel listed in the PWS. When key personnel are used as an evaluation factor in best value procurement, an offer can be rejected if it does not have a firm commitment from the persons that are listed in the proposal.

PHYSICAL SECURITY - actions that prevent the loss or damage of Government property.

POST EMERGENCY SERVICES - Include all work necessary to clean up storm damage after Emergency Services have made the area safe. Contractors are required to meet with

COR on site within 24 hours of contact to review scope of work for Post Emergency

Services and provide a price with 24 hours of the meeting. Work will commence upon receiving written approval by the CO.

QUALITY CONTROL - all necessary measures taken by the Contractor to assure that the quality of an end product or service shall meet contract requirements.

ROUTINE SERVICES - work will commence within two to seven (2-7) business days of

TO issued and continue everyday until the TO is complete and approved by the COR.

Contractor is responsible for tracking lost working days due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Routine services are scheduled ahead of time; dates determined between COR and vendor and work is completed during normal business hours (as stated in 1.7) and COR directed/requested TO. Upon receiving a request for pricing the contractor must meet with COR with 72 hours of request.

SHALL - as used in these specifications denotes a mandatory requirement

SHOULD - as used in these specifications denotes an advisory recommendation.

SUBCONTRACTOR - one that enters into a contract with a prime contractor. The

Government does not have privity of contract with the subcontractor.

TO - Task Order

PART 3

GOVERNMENT FURNISHED EQUIPMENT / PROPERTY

3. CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Contractor shall furnish all supplies, materials, equipment, facilities and services required to perform work under this contract that are not listed under Section 3 of this

PWS.

**The following Parks will provide all topsoil for backfilling stump grinding. The contractor is responsible for providing all of the necessary equipment and labor needed to load and transport the topsoil from the Park’s topsoil stockpile to the necessary locations.

The topsoil provided by the Parks below can only be used for Task Orders placed by that

Park ONLY. Taking topsoil outside of Park will result in a contract deficiency, and/or reimbursement.

George Washington Memorial Parkway (GWMP)

National Mall & Memorial Parks (NAMA)

National Capital Parks – East (NACE)

Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts (WOTR)

PART 4

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

4. PWS GENERAL INFORMATION:

4.1 Place of Performance: The work to be performed under this contract will be performed at:

Antietam National Battlefield (ANTI)

P.O. Box 158, Sharpsburg, MD 21782

Catoctin Mountain Park (CATO)

6602 Foxville Road, Thurmont, Maryland 21788

C&O Canal National Historical Park (CHOH)

1850 Dual Highway, Suite 100, Hagerstown, Maryland 21740

George Washington Memorial Parkway (GWMP)

Turkey Run Headquarters, McLean, VA 22101

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park (HAFE)

P.O. Box 65, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425

Manassas National Battlefield Park (MANA)

12521 Lee Highway, Manassas, VA 20109

Monocacy National Battlefield (MONO)

4801 Urbana Pike, Frederick, MD 21704-7307

National Mall & Memorial Parks (NAMA)

900 Ohio Drive S.W., Washington, DC 20204

National Capital Parks – East (NACE)

1900 Annacostia Drive, S.E., Washington D.C. 20020

Prince William Forest Park (PRWI)

18100 Park Headquarters Road, Triangle, VA 22172

Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts (WOTR)

1551 Trap Road, Vienna, VA 22182

White House Liason (Presidents Park) (WHHO)

1100 Ohio Drive S.W., Washington, DC 20242

4.2 Quality Control Plan (QCP): The contractor shall develop and maintain an effective quality control program to ensure services are performed in accordance with this PWS.

The contractor shall develop and implement procedures to identify, prevent, and ensure non-recurrence of defective services. The contractor’s quality control plan is the means by which he assures himself that his work complies with the requirement of the contract.

After acceptance of the quality control plan the contractor shall receive the contracting officer’s acceptance in writing of any proposed change to his QCP system.

The contractor shall establish and maintain a QCP to ensure the work performed conforms to the contract requirements. The QCP establishes performance standards that are the minimum requirements for acceptable performance of required services. The contractor’s QCP shall also address methods for remedying poor performance. The

Contractor shall develop QCP and submit with proposal package. The Contractor’s QCP includes:

Required services identified in Performance Requirements; brief summary

Contractor’s surveillance methodology (methods, principles, and rules for monitoring workers)

Method and timeframe for responding to Contracting Officer Representative (COR) or customer complaints

Progress meetings with Government stakeholders

4.3 Safety:

4.3.1 Loss or Damage: Contractor shall be responsible for all damages to persons or properties that occur as a result of a Contractor’s fault or negligence. The Contractor shall take proper health and safety precautions to protect the work, workers, the public and property of others.

Irreversible damage to the tree(s) will be subject to liquidated damages in accordance with the Guide for Plant Appraisal (9th edition, 2000) authored by the Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers and the Mid-Atlantic Tree Species Rating Guide developed by the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of International Society of Arboriculture. Please note: a group of arborists are working on the 10th edition, expected to publish soon. Effective when the

10th Edition of the Guide for Plant Appraisal is published, it will be the latest guide used for guidance.

The contractor shall be responsible for safeguarding all government property provided for contractor use. Contractor shall repair or replace any portion of building structure, or landscape features, damaged by the Contractor in the performance of this contract. Such damaged areas or materials shall be restored, repaired or replaced by the Contractor to original condition and to the satisfaction and as directed by the COR at no expense to the

Government.

The Contractor shall be insured in accordance with District of Columbia, Virginia and

Maryland insurance regulations. The Government is not responsible for damage to

Contractor’s equipment, vehicles, tools or materials or their employees and the personal property brought on-site. The Government will not accept any liability due to contractor employee negligence.

4.3.1.a Workers Compensation: The contractor shall provide workers compensation insurance to those employees performing work related to this contract and shall comply with the

Workman’s Compensation Laws of with District of Columbia, Virginia and Maryland.

4.3.1.b Liability: The Contractor shall maintain a level of insurance that will protect the contractor and the Government from any claims as a result of bodily injury (including death) and property damage which may arise from and during the performance of this contract. The CO may request proof at any point in the contract period of performance.

4.3.1.c Identification of Contractor Employees: All contract personnel attending meetings, working in the field, and working in other situations where their contractor status is not obvious to third parties are required to identify themselves as such to avoid creating an impression in the minds of members of the public that they are Government officials.

They must also ensure that all documents or reports produced by contractors are suitably marked as contractor products or that contractor participation is appropriately disclosed.

4.3.2 Special Work Considerations: The contractor must keep the roads and parking lots open for public use at all times during performance of work. Traffic control shall be in accordance with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and traffic control measures must be in place and functional at all times during tree work activities.

The successful contractor shall use best management practices for tree pruning and removal, following all state and OSHA regulations pertaining to tree pruning and removal. Employees utilizing chain saws shall wear approved safety equipment to include chaps, hard hat, eye protection, and hearing protection, fall protection, etc. The contractor must stop work if potential, undocumented cultural and/or natural resources are encountered.

The contractor may be required to work inside a high security memorial. This will require a background check of the employees performing work inside the secure area.

All vehicles and equipment must be swept by a United States Park Police (USPP) K-9 unit prior to entering a secure area. Provide the COR background check information five

(5) working days prior to entering a secure area. Coordinate USPP K-9 sweeps with the

COR.

During the time period from May 15th to August 15th the Contractor is responsible to be available for a site visit within 24 hours for projects involving pruning or removing trees related to pests and diseases, (including Dutch Elm Disease). The Contractor is then responsible for providing the COR a price proposal within 24 hours of the site visit. The

Contracting Officer may then issue a verbal notice to the Contractor to perform the work and then issue a written DO. In order to limit the further spread of any pests or diseases the Contractor must perform the work within 48 hours of receiving notice from the CO.

Traffic control shall be provided by GWMP on all active roadways within the limits of

GWMP ONLY. Also GWMP lane closure is limited to non-rush hour times. All work zones requiring lane closures are required to be between the hours of 10:00 am and 2:30 pm.

4.3.3 Equipment Safety Qualifications:

All workers shall be recognizable as employees of the contractor by wearing distinctive clothing bearing the name of the company or by wearing appropriate badges which show the

Contractor's company name and employee name.

All equipment must meet all federal OSHA, state and local safety requirements and must be properly licensed. This includes equipment such as bucket trucks, aerial lifts, chipper trucks, wood trucks, stump grinders etc. which may be needed to correctly perform tree pruning and removal in accordance with the specifications stated herein.

The name or logo of the contractor’s company shall be clearly displayed on all trucks used on the job.

The following load restrictions shall not be exceeded:

Single Units Gross Vehicle Weight

2 axles 40,000 lbs (18,100 kg)

3 axles 48,000 lbs (21,800 kg)

4 axles 52,000 lbs (23,600 kg)

Combination Units

3 axles 57,000 lbs (25,900 kg)

4 axles 62,000 lbs (28,100 kg)

5 or more axles 66,000 lbs (29,900 kg)

4.4 Post Award Conference/Periodic Progress Meetings: Contractor(s) may be requested to attend a post award conference convened by the CO and the Primary Contract CORs.

4.5 Contracting Officer Representative (COR): The COR will be identified in each TO. The

COR monitors all technical aspects of the contract and assists in contract administration

The COR is authorized to perform the following functions: assure that the Contractor performs the technical requirements of the contract: perform inspections necessary in connection with contract performance: maintain written and oral communications with the Contractor concerning technical aspects of the contract: issue written interpretations of technical requirements, including Government drawings, designs, specifications:

monitor Contractor's performance and notifies both the Contracting Officer and

Contractor of any deficiencies; coordinate availability of government furnished property, and provide site entry of Contractor personnel. A letter of designation issued to the COR, a copy of which is sent to the Contractor, states the responsibilities and limitations of the

COR, especially with regard to changes in cost or price, estimates or changes in delivery dates. The COR is not authorized to change any of the terms and conditions of the resulting order.

4.6 Key Personnel: The follow personnel are considered key personnel by the government:

Crew Supervisor / Lead

Certified Arborist(s) employed by contractor

The TO Crew Supervisor/Lead shall have full authority to act for the contractor on all contract matters relating to daily operation of this contract. The contract manager or alternate shall be available between 7:00 a.m. to 3:30p.m, Monday through Friday.

The Certified Arborist shall be on the job site if required by each individual Park TO and shall be the primary contact with the Government's technical representative responsible for controlling the quality of work and inspecting all completed work to ensure that contract performance requirements are met.

All work shall be under the direction and general supervision of an Arborist(s) certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) who possesses verifiable experience as a full time direct supervisor of shade tree maintenance and climbing work crews and technical competence in tree physiology, identification, diagnosis of disorders, and current tree care and safety practices in accordance with accepted industry standards.

All tree workers shall, through related training and on the job experience, be familiar with the technical aspects and hazards of tree maintenance work and equipment used in such operations.

All work around power lines shall be performed by Certified Line Clearance Tree Trimmers in accordance with OSHA 229 CF 1910.269, 1910.331 and ANSI Z133.1-2012.

4.2 TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS:

4.2.1 Routine Services. The contractor shall provide services for:

4.2.1.a Pruning: The work to be performed under this section shall include pruning trees in accordance with the American National Standard for Tree Care Operations - Tree, Shrub, and Other Woody Plant Maintenance - Standard Practices, ANSI A300 (Part 1) -2010

Pruning.

General Requirements:

On the same day a tree is pruned the contractor shall remove all wood, debris and chips from the site. Removal and disposal shall be the responsibility of the contractor. There shall be no sale of wood on government property. There may be instances when debris cannot be removed in the same day, this must be approved by the COR. Contractor will be responsible for safely securing the area.

The contractor shall chip all material 18” in diameter or less.

If so directed by the COR all material greater than 18 inches shall be cut to 18-24" lengths, with all smaller branches attached to these limbs cut flush; and delivered and unloaded to a specified location in the park.

If so directed by the COR, chips shall be blown into adjacent natural areas.

All specified pruning and removals at the site of any one tree shall be completed, including removal of logs and debris, before initiating work on the next tree.

No more than one-fourth (1/4) of the foliage on a mature tree shall be removed during a pruning operation. The COR shall be contacted prior to pruning any tree specified as

Maintenance Pruning if said pruning will reduce the surface area of the tree by more than one-fourth.

Upon completion of pruning, one-half (1/2) of the foliage shall remain evenly distributed in the lower two-thirds (2/3) of the crown and individual limbs.

Branches shall be removed in such a manner so as to not cause damage to other parts of the tree. Branches too large to support with one hand shall be precut to prevent splitting or tearing of the bark. To prevent tree or property damage, branches or portions of branches shall be lowered to the ground by ropes or equipment where necessary. Under no circumstances can branches be dropped freely onto the road, shoulder, or paved surfaces.

When a branch is cut back to a lateral not more than one-fourth (1/4) of its leaf surface shall be removed. All efforts shall be made to cut back to a lateral, one-third (1/3) the diameter of the branch being removed.

When removing a lateral branch at its point of origin on the trunk or parent limb, the final cut shall be made in branch tissue sufficiently close to the trunk or parent limb starting just above a vigorous bud or shoot and running back across the limb at a 45 degree angle, without cutting into the bark branch ridge or branch collar or leaving a protruding stub.

When removing a branch with a narrow branch attachment, the final cut should be made from the bottom of the branch up. Where branches cross and rub together or are forming a "V" crotch, one branch shall be removed with consideration of the tree's natural form and structure.

When removing a leader or length of a branch, the angle of the cut should bisect the angle between the branch bark ridge and an imaginary line perpendicular to the leader being removed. Trees which are developing more than one dominant leader shall be selectively pruned to promote a single dominant leader by sub-dominating the other competitive branches. Selection of the dominant leader shall be made with consideration of the tree's natural form and structure.

When removing a branch, the final cut shall be made just outside the collar of live tissue.

If the collar has grown out along the branch stub, only the dead stub should be removed.

The live collar shall remain intact and uninjured. Removing entire or large portions of healthy, sound limbs simply because the contractor chooses not to provide the necessary equipment or labor to remove only the dead or dying terminals of said limb is prohibited.

Old injuries are to be inspected. Those not closing properly and where callus growth is not already completely established should be traced. Only damaged or loose bark should be removed, disturbing a minimal amount of live tissue.

The use of chain saws and circular blade power saws shall be limited to the removal of limbs no less than two (2) inches in diameter.

When pruning elm trees (Ulmus genus) the contractor is responsible for sanitizing tree pruning equipment with de-natured alcohol before pruning and after pruning each tree to reduce the possibility of spreading diseases between trees.

Wounding paint shall not be used.

Climbing hooks shall not be worn while pruning.

Pruning Types:

Young Tree Pruning: All trees less than 6 inches in caliper shall be pruned to develop a sound scaffold branching system by selective thinning of branches and removal of dead, interfering, split, broken, and large branches with narrow angles of attachment. Scaffold branches should be 1/2 (one half) or less of the diameter of the trunk or parent branch at its attachment. Permanent lateral branches along scaffold limbs should be at least 2 (two)

ft. out from the trunk and less than 1/2 the diameter of the limb at its attachment. The objective of pruning shall be as follows.

Deciduous Shade Trees: The central leader system of training shall be followed unless directed otherwise by the COR. The recommended spacing between primary scaffold branches should be approximately 18 inches.

Flowering Trees: The modified leader system of training shall be followed unless directed otherwise by the COR. The recommended spacing between primary scaffold limbs should be approximately 6-8 inches.

Trees over walks, trails, and picnic areas shall have all lateral limbs and water sprouts removed from the main trunk of the tree to a minimum height of six (6) feet above the ground, unless otherwise directed by the COR.

Maintenance Pruning I: All trees designated as Maintenance Pruning I are in developed areas. Trees shall be pruned to maintain and/or improve health and structure and shall include each of the following pruning types:

Hazard Reduction: Shall consist of the removal of all visible hazards with potential for damage to property or personal injury. Removal shall include, but is not limited to dead wood, heavy or weak horizontal branches and weak crotches. Weak crotches are defined as split or rotted wood between two trunks of limbs that may break and fall during high wind.

Crown Cleaning: Shall consist of the removal of dead, dying, diseased, interfering, objectionable weakly attached, low vigor branches, and water sprouts on the main trunk as well as those within the leaf area one inch in diameter and greater. All dead wood greater than 2 feet in length shall be removed regardless of diameter. An occasional branch up one inch in diameter may remain within the main leaf area where it is not practical to remove.

Crown Raising: All street trees and trees over walks, trails, and picnic areas shall be elevated and/or pruned for clearance from structures as directed by the COR. In the absence of direction from the COR, all trees over six inches diameter at breast height

(DBH) shall have all lateral limbs and water sprouts removed from the main trunk of the tree to a height of seven (7) feet above the ground. All trees over 10 inches DBH shall have all lateral limbs and water sprouts removed from the main trunk of the tree to a height of 10 feet above the ground. All trees adjacent to buildings and structures shall be trimmed to provide a minimum of three feet of clearance from such structure(s).

Maintenance Pruning II: Trees designated as Maintenance Pruning II are generally located in special use areas containing lower densities of pedestrians, structures and vehicles than developed areas (i.e. picnic areas, trails, campgrounds, and natural areas adjacent to developed areas). Trees shall be pruned to maintain and/or improve health and structure and shall include each of the following pruning types:

Hazard Reduction: Shall consist of the removal of all visible hazards with potential for damage to property or personal injury. Removal shall include, but is not limited to dead wood, heavy or weak horizontal branches and weak crotches. Weak crotches are defined as split or rotted wood between two trunks of limbs that may break and fall during high wind.

Crown Cleaning: Shall consist of the removal of dead, dying, diseased, interfering, objectionable weakly attached, low vigor branches, and water sprouts on the main trunk as well as those within the leaf area two inches in diameter and greater. All dead wood greater than four (4) feet in length shall be removed regardless of diameter.

Crown Raising: All street trees and trees over walks, trails, and picnic areas shall be elevated and/or pruned for clearance from structures as directed by the COR. In the absence of direction from the COR, trees over six inches diameter at breast height (dbh) shall have all lateral limbs and water sprouts removed from the main trunk of the tree to a height of seven (7) feet above the ground. All trees adjacent to buildings and structures shall be trimmed to provide three feet of clearance from such structure(s).

4.2.1.b Removals: The work to be performed under this section shall include removing trees in accordance with the American National Standard for Arboricultural Operations - Pruning, Repairing, Maintaining and Removing Trees and Cutting Brush - Safety Requirements -

ANSI Z133.1-2000.

General Requirements:

Removal of wood and chips from the park and disposal is the responsibility of the contractor. If so directed by the COR, chips shall be delivered and unloaded to a specified location in the park and/or blown into adjacent natural areas. There shall be no sale of wood on government property.

For trees specified to have all wood, chips and debris removed, the contractor shall, on the same day the tree is removed, chip all material less than 18 inches in diameter and remove all remaining wood and debris from the park and dispose of legally off site, unless approved otherwise by the COR.

For trees specified to have all wood delivered to a designated site in the park the contractor shall, on the same day the tree is removed: chip all material 18 inches or less in diameter; if so directed by the COR, trim and cut all salvageable branches over 18 inches to 18-24" lengths, with all smaller branches attached to these limbs cut flush; and collect, deliver, and unload all wood to a specified location in the park.

For trees specified to be flattened to the ground the contractor shall, on the same day the tree is removed: chip all material less than 18 inches in diameter; flatten all wood greater than 18 inches in diameter to the ground and position to check soil erosion.

All trees identified for removal shall be marked as agreed upon, in writing, by the contractor and the COR prior to the contractor commencing work. In instances where the

NPS and the contractor agree that trees identified for removal under a particular Task

Order do not require marking, the agreement shall be documented in writing prior to the contractor commencing work.

Climbing hooks shall only be worn for tree removals.

The Contractor shall take all reasonable precautions to avoid damaging surrounding vegetation or lawn areas and prevent gouging and erosion of soils as a result of tree removal operations (i.e. removal of stubs that might dig in and blanketing the area with brush and/or logs to cushion the fall).

Safety Requirements:

Trees shall be felled only when there is an adequate felling area at least equal in radius to the height of the tree. Whenever possible trees should be felled on as level ground as possible avoiding stumps, rocks etc. which may cause the tree to roll when it falls. Trees that cannot be felled due to adjacent trees, vegetation, roadways, buildings, structures, utilities, and/or lack of an adequate felling area shall be topped and/or sectioned.

When topping and/or sectioning is required, the lower limbs shall be removed first working toward the top until the tree is stripped and sections shall be small enough to be safely handled by the worker on a rope. Sectioning shall continue until the tree is low enough for felling.

Pull ropes shall be used on all trees that have potential for damage to property or existing vegetation should they fall in any direction other than that intended. Pull ropes shall be installed before any cutting is done at the base.

Stake holdfasts and men pulling the rope shall be outside the striking distance of the tree.

If conditions make this impossible, the tree shall be topped and/or sectioned.

Felling Leaning, Split, Twin, or Hollow Trees: The Contractor is responsible for taking all precautions including, but not limited to, chaining, roping, corner cutting and the use of felling wedges and securely anchored tackle blocks to ensure that the tree will fall where desired and prevent twisting and/or premature splitting or separation of the trunk.

If a tree cannot be felled safely in one piece, the tree shall be topped and/or sectioned.

Felling Lodged Trees: Under no circumstances shall an attempt be made to fell the tree supporting the lodged tree or climbing up the inclined trunk of the lodged tree to shake it loose. If the butt of the tree is free of stump, a one inch (1”) rope or winch cable long enough to place all men and equipment outside of the falling or kickback radius should be fastened to the tree butt. The rope or cable should be pulled as nearly directly back from the direction of fall as possible. If the tree is too firmly lodged to be pulled out the adjacent tree may be climbed and limbs from the lodged tree carefully removed. The pulling operation should then be resumed. Cutting off sections of the butt of the lodged tree should be avoided.

Notch: A Standard Notch should be used in the majority of cases. The notch shall be at right angles to the direction of pull. Make two cuts, one parallel or horizontal to the ground, the other at an angle of 45 degrees. The depth should be from a quarter (1/4) to a third (1/3) the diameter of the tree.

Backcut: The backcut should be horizontal and about two inches above the horizontal cut of the notch. Bring the backcut in evenly until there is approximately two inches of holding wood left.

Felling: Before sawing into the two inches of holding wood the power saw operator shall have an adequate and clear escape route to one side of, and away from, the direction of the fall and ensure that all is in readiness for the tree to fall safely. Once this is done the tree can be felled.

All stumps shall be cut to a height not to exceed two inches (2”) from grade unless directed otherwise by the COR.

With the exception of stump removal, all specified removals at any one location shall be completed, including removal of logs and debris, before initiating work in another location unless approved otherwise by the COR.

4.2.1.c Stump Grinding (GRIND – LEAVE GRINDS IN PLACE):

The contractor is responsible for calling Miss Utility prior to grinding and stumps. In the event that Miss Utility will not mark the area where the stump is located, the contractor is responsible for hiring a third party utility locating company to sweep the area prior to grinding the stump.

Stumps indicated for grinding shall be ground with a stump grinder to a minimum depth of 12 inches below grade with the depression refilled with the waste material.

Stumps shall be ground to a depth of 24”, 36” or greater than 36” with the depression refilled with the waste material.

If so directed by the COR stumps shall be ground to a depth of 24", 36” or greater than

36” with the depression refilled with the waste material.

When the contractor is directed by COR to grind stumps to a depth greater than 36”. The contractor is responsible for grinding the stump until all of the stump material is ground, in all directions regardless of stump depth.

Grinding shall include the main stump and all buttress (surface) roots, feeder roots and anchor roots greater than 3” in diameter to a minimum distance of 48” from the center of the stump in all directions.

Grubbing stumps shall not be permitted unless approved otherwise by the COR.

4.2.1.d Stump Grinding (GRIND – REMOVE ALL GRINDS, BACKFILL WITH TOPSOIL, AND OVERSEED):

Stumps indicated for grinding shall be ground with a stump grinder to a minimum depth of 12 inches below grade with all grinds removed and disposed of offsite.

Stumps shall be ground to a depth of 24”, 36” or greater than 36” with the depression refilled with topsoil.

If so directed by the COR stumps shall be ground to a depth of 24", 36” or greater than

36” with the depression refilled with the waste material.

When the contractor is directed by COR to grind stumps to a depth greater than 36”. The contractor is responsible for grinding the stump until all of the stump material is ground, in all directions regardless of stump depth.

Grinding shall include the main stump and all buttress (surface) roots, feeder roots and anchor roots greater than 3” in diameter to a minimum distance of 48” from the center of the stump in all directions.

Grubbing stumps shall not be permitted unless approved otherwise by the COR.

The resulting depression(s) shall be refilled with topsoil in uniform 8 (-10) inch layers and compacted by hand tamping or ramming to a maximum density of 75%. Note:

Topsoil will be provided by the National Park Service. Loading of topsoil from the NPS storage area, delivery, and placement in the depression shall be the responsibility of the contractor.

Parks supplying top soil (See Part 3 GFE):

- GWMP

- NAMA

- NACE

- WOTR

4.2.1.e Seedbed Preparation:

Grade finish surface of the sod bed to the specified grade to a smoothness comparable to results obtained by hand raking, leaving it clean and free of stones, debris, and depressions. The final grade shall be blended with existing adjacent grades leaving the entire area drainable and free from abrupt changes in slope. To be approved by COR before grassing operations commence.

Protect all areas from pedestrian and vehicular traffic until the time of seeding.

All varieties or cultivars of turfgrass seed shall be on the current University of Maryland

Turfgrass Technical Update or the current Virginia Turfgrass Variety Recommendation

List as published by Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Contractor to provide seed varieties requested by COR.

All seed shall have: a minimum purity of 98%, a minimum germination of 85%, and be certified free of Poa trivialis, timothy, bentgrass, Canada bluegrass, tall fescue, dock, cheat, chess, chickweed, plantain, crabgrass, Bermuda-grass and black medic.

Fluorescence for perennial ryegrass shall not exceed three (3) percent.

Certification for each seed type shall be conducted by an approved testing laboratory prior to the mixing of seed. The results of the seed certification shall be submitted to the

COR for approval prior to delivery of seed to the site.

Seed shall be delivered in original containers showing analysis of seed mixture, percentage of pure seed, year of production, net weight, date of packaging and location of packaging. Damaged packages are not acceptable.

Seed shall be stored in a manner to prevent wetting and deterioration in rodent proof containers until placement in the seeder. Seed which has become wet, moldy, or otherwise damaged in transit or storage will not be accepted.

Turf Type Tall Fescue Mixture: Shall be a 100% certified mixture of certified Turf-type

Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea) consisting of 3 varieties of which no variety exceeds

40% or is less than 20%. Applied at 7 lbs per 1000 square feet.

4.2.1.f. Seed Cover (Mulching):

Dry applied fiber mulch like Penn Mulch or approved equal with the following characteristics:

1. Cellulose fiber, clean raw lumber wood chips, organic tackifier, clay, bio-stimulant, dark

2. pH Range: 6.7 +/- 1.

3. Moisture Content: 10 +/-2% maximum.

4. Wood Fiber Content: 20% minimum.

5. Paper Fiber Content: 54.5% maximum.

6. Organic Tackifier: 1% minimum.

7. Clay Content: 15% maximum.

8. Bio-stimulant: trace amount.

9. Water Holding Capacity: 400% minimum.

10. “C” factor: 0.15 – 85% effective at controlling erosion on a 3:1 slope.

Follow manufacturer’s instructions on package. In general the pelletized paper mulch should be evenly distributed over the seeded area at labeled rates, and moistened to activate the pellets. Large areas will require a drop spreader or broadcast spreader, small areas (<300sq ft) can be spread by hand. Do not exceed maximum slope length of 25 feet when slope gradients are steeper than 4 to 1. Install materials at the following application rates:

Dry Application: green dye, and starter fertilizer

a. Flat to 5:1 Slope: 60 – 75 lbs/1000 sq. ft

b. 5 to 1:3 to 1 Slope: 75 lbs/1000 sq. ft

c. Greater than 3:1 Slope: 100 lbs/1000 sq. ft

After placement of seed the surface shall be scarified using a hand rake to cover the seed and ensure good soil/seed contact.

After placement and hand tamping of topsoil all bare areas shall be overseed with a certified blend of certified Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne) or certified Turf Type

Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea) consisting of 3 varieties of which no one variety should exceeds 40% or is less than 20% at a rate of 5-10 lb per 1,000 square feet.

The contractor is responsible for filling in, leveling and re-seeding any areas where settlement occurs after stump grinding for a period of one (1) calendar year from the date of final acceptance.

4.2.1.g Brush Clearing: Brush clearing can be defined as clearing and chipping brush and debris, including removing invasive plant species from designated areas.

PART 5

BID SCHEDULE

Bid Schedule:

Laborer / Equipment

Hourly Rate - $ per hour

Overtime Rate - $ per hour

Crew

Crew Supervisor/Lead

Arborist

Bucket Truck

Chipper

Front End Loader

Other Equipment

Vendors to propose hourly rate per hour for each laborer and OT rate for emergencies and requirements before/after hours. Equipment rates provided should annotate if cost is a per hour rate or flat rate per project. Vendors to annotate if rates will increase every year (Estimated PoP of Contract will be June 1, 2015 – May 31, 2020. Yearly rates will be effective June 1 – May 31 of each year if rates change yearly. Vendor to annotate appropriately).

Additional information (which will be effective at Contract Award):

During the contract award, when Parks will request the three (3) selected MAC vendors to provide proposals, vendors are to provide Quotes to Parks listing the following information:

# of specific Laborer type X # of Hours X Hourly Rate = Total Cost for Laborer

Equipment Required X # of Equipment Required X Rate = Total Cost for Equip.

ALL RFQs will require vendor to provide cost break down for each project.